KMA, KEPCO boost weather-power tech for DER forecasting
The Korea Meteorological Administration (KMA) and Korea Electric Power Corporation (KEPCO) held a technical exchange meeting on October 15 to strengthen cooperation on developing renewable energy generation forecasting technology. KEPCO is developing models using KMA's high-resolution weather data, planning to replace existing overseas data-based models.
Our take
Will Korea's switch to domestic weather data improve renewable output forecasts used to run the grid?
Possibly, but not yet: KEPCO's model is still being developed and validated, no accuracy gain has been published, and the article does not say how these forecasts will feed into dispatch or curtailment decisions.
In favour, KMA now supplies hourly solar radiation, wind and cloud forecasts from its own model, and KEPCO plans to replace overseas data only after validation, which limits the risk of a worse model going live. Against, this is a technical exchange stage, no accuracy figures are given, and the article does not say whether KPX, which issues dispatch instructions, will use the new forecasts. What decides the value for asset owners is whether better forecasts reach dispatch and curtailment decisions, and whether the weather data are open to private forecasters.
What the source says
- KMA has been providing hourly weather prediction data, including solar radiation, wind direction/speed, and cloud cover, since September 2026 using its self-developed Korean Numerical Weather Prediction Model.
- KEPCO plans to gradually replace its existing overseas weather data-based models with those developed using KMA's real-time linked data after verification.
- KMA plans to enhance prediction performance by utilizing the latest observation data for solar radiation and wind, improving numerical model physics, and applying a local ensemble model composed of 13 individual prediction models and AI-based correction technology.
- KMA and KEPCO renewed their Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) in June 2026, originally signed in 2022, to pursue joint data utilization and converged service development.
- KMA official The collaboration will expand beyond generation forecasting to include power demand forecasting and risk analysis for power facilities.
For investors — Solar and wind developers: do not assume less curtailment or lower forecasting costs from this; it changes inputs to KEPCO's models, and no change to forecasting rules or settlement has been announced.
VPP operators / aggregators: check whether KMA's hourly forecast data can be accessed directly; if so, it is an input to portfolio forecasting that does not depend on KEPCO's model.
Watch: KEPCO's real-time integration of KMA's weather data and the subsequent replacement of its existing overseas data-based forecasting models.
Weekly digest
What changed in Korea's power market this week — one email, every week.
Email only, used solely to send this digest (delivered via Resend). Unconfirmed sign-ups are deleted after 30 days. Free.